Trudeau promises $14B to help provinces reopen the economy

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is offering $14 billion to the provincial and territorial governments to help them safely reopen their economies.

There will be strings, however. The way the money is distributed will depend on agreeing to standards called “safe-restart agreement” between the federal government and each province or territory.

The money would help cover protective equipment for health workers, support for strapped municipalities, paid sick leave and other help for schools and seniors.

The next major demand on the federal treasury will come from Canadian cities. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities estimates communities across the country, which have borne the brunt of the pandemic, need $10 billion to $15 billion to make up for the loss of revenue resulting from reduced transit fares, user fees and deferred property taxes.